A TINY pedigree dog - originally rescued by a kindly couple - was almost blinded when it was shot at with an air rifle for the second time in 30 days.

The three-year-old Shitzu, called Holly, is owned by Dr Brian Howarth and his wife Jean.

"In November we found a big bump on her and took her to the vets," Dr Howarth said. "He pulled all the hair off it and got a pair of forceps and pulled out an air gun pellet.

"On Monday, December 20, she had another bleeding wound on her chest. It was only four inches one side of being in her eye because she is such a little dog."

Originally from England, Mr and Mrs Howarth spent 50 years living in Connecticut, America, before moving to Bollington last April following retirement.

The couple, who have a daughter and two grandchildren in America, said that the incidents have changed their once out-going puppy's behaviour.

"She had just about got over the first one, but now she gets very quiet and has gone off her food," Dr Howarth said. "She was a rescue dog originally and has a hard enough life already without some miscreant shooting at her."

Police officers visited their Henshall Road home after the second shooting, and they hope that this has sent a warning to the culprits.

Dr Howarth said: "It is sad, but hopefully this will be the end of it now."